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Even if you have never heard of fenugreek, the chances are that you have tried it in your food, especially if you are a fan of curries. However, this annual herb that belongs to pea family is also widely used in medicine due to its numerous benefits. Let’s take an in-depth look at this plant and see why it can be significant.

History And Origin

Fenugreek has a long tradition of being used in medicine. Ayurvedic medicine practitioners made use of its ingredients thousands of years ago. In traditional Chinese medicine, it was thought that this herb breaks up stuck energies within the body.

The plant is cultivated in the Mediterranean region and western Asia. It can grow up to three feet and has green leaves and white flowers. In most countries, it is grown for the aromatic seeds, although there are some areas of Europe and Africa where it is cultivated for fodder.

Composition

This herb secures many vital nutrients in their organic form, which means they are ready for absorption.

One tablespoon of the seeds contains:

35.5 Calories

Carbohydrates – 6.4 g

Protein – 2.5 g

Fat – 0.7 g

Fiber – 2.7 g

Iron – 3.7 mg (20% of the RDI*)

Manganese – 0.1 mg (7% of the RDI*)

Copper – 0.1 mg (6% of the RDI*)

Magnesium – 21 mg (5% of the RDI*)

Phosphorus – 32.6 mg (3% of the RDI*)

Vitamin B6 – 0.1 mg (3% of the RDI*)

Where Is It Used?

Medicine –it is widely used in medicine thanks to its positive influence on overall health. Fenugreek helps your digestive system and assists in diabetes control. It also has multiple skin and hair benefits

Cooking – it is a mandatory spice in most Indian curries. Thanks to its unusual flavor, cooks also use it in marinades. Seed extract is the main ingredient of imitation maple syrup, imitation vanilla, and rum flavorings

Benefits

Aids Digestion And Reduces Cholesterol Levels

If you suffer from constipation, stomach ulcers or upset stomach, this herb can help your digestive system. It also affects the levels of bad (LDL) cholesterol in your body, thanks to a flavonoid called naringenin.

If you are looking to lose some weight, seeds of this plant can prove useful. They prevent your body from keeping the fat and enhance the metabolism of glucose and lipids.

Studies have shown that fenugreek decreases insulin resistance. Thanks to fiber and other chemicals, it also slows down your body’s absorption of sugar. It will not only lower your blood sugar levels but will enhance the way your organism uses sugar.

Reduces Internal and External Inflammation

This powerful herb is also used for treating various internal inflammation. This includes:

Stomach inflammation

Mouth ulcers

Bronchitis

Chronic cough

Boils

External inflammation is also treated with this plant, although this is not that common. It can help with swelling and pain in your lymph nodes and muscles, as well in treating wounds, sciatica, and eczema. It is recommended to test the area before you apply it, to ensure it does not burn.

Fights Alopecia and Dandruff

Seed extract of this plant in combination with coconut oil can do wonders for your hair. If you are struggling with hair loss, this mixture will strengthen your hair roots.

It is also good for treating dandruff and other follicular issues. Furthermore, a paste made from this plant’s seeds can make your hair shiny.

Cures Acne and Revitalizes Your Skin

If acne is causing you trouble, try this. Mix seed extracts from this herb with water and let the mixture simmer for 15 minutes. After it cools down, dab it on your face. Repeat the process two times a day.

Aside from fighting acne, this herb is perfect for revitalizing your skin. Due to its antioxidants, it will help eliminate those wrinkles and slow down the aging process. Make your own hair mask by soaking the seeds in a tablespoon of yogurt overnight.

Increases Sexual Desire in Men

A study published in Phytotherapy Research showed that seed extract of fenugreek increases sexual arousal and stamina in men. Furthermore, it can be used as a natural remedy to cure impotence, hernias, baldness, and other male problems such as erectile dysfunction. Fenugreek is a natural alternative to increase sexual arousal and testosterone levels in men. Even so, if it best of you get a second opinion from a physician before using any natural therapies.

In a study published about Phytotherapy Research where 60 men between the ages of 25 and 52 were supplemented with a placebo or 600ml of fenugreek for a period of six weeks, none of these subjects had history of erectile dysfunction. Through evaluation of the results the reports showed a possitive effect on their libidos, it found that fenugreek has a big influence on energy production, sexual arousal, stamina and healthy testosterone levels.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth, seeds can cause bloating, gas and diarrhea. If you have a bleeding disorder or currently take blood-thinning medication or anticoagulants, make sure to consult your doctor before using it. Pregnant women and children are not advised to consume this herb.

It should also not be used for all skin types. Before applying it directly, test the area on your skin first. This will ensure that it will not cause irritation or burning sensation.

Keeping a strict diet is usually a part of the success that most athletes have. It is not easy and it will take a lot of discipline. We all know that athletes need changes in their body to comply with their sports. There are several diets that are followed by prominent athletes to keep up with their high performance sports. If you are an athlete who is just starting with the training then you can make use of the diet plans below to your advantage.

Paleo Diet

The Paleo diet provides high intake of protein that is needed to build the muscles of our athletes. The good thing about the diet is that it can prevent the loss of lean muscles that are much needed for high performance sports.

McDonalds Diet

It may sound absurd and probably people would say it’s unhealthy but this type of diet is very popular with athletes. It can keep up with the high calories that are required for the athletes since they burn too much calories. Known swimmers are known to indulge on this kind of diet because it is effective so they could meet the needed calories in their body.

Carbohydrate Loading Diet

This diet emphasize increase intake of carbs to ensure duel storage in the muscles needed by athletes for endurance and extreme sports performance. Athletes need to eat foods that are high in carbohydrates all the time to make sure that they can maintain their performance.

High Protein Diet

The high protein diet is extremely used by athletes all over the world most especially during their training period. It is essential to ensure that they will have enough protein that can build their muscles despite the hard days of training.

Zone Diet

It is the type of diet that imposes balanced intake of protein, fats and carbohydrates. The Zone diet is used to control hormones that can affect an athlete’s performance.

Fruits and Vegetables Diet

The fruit and vegetables diet is even used by popular UFC fighters. The diet is incorporated with some protein from chicken and fish but the majority of the food intake is fruits and vegetables.

Athletes have different diets depending on the sports they’re playing. It is essential that their bodies would meet the required calories intake to sustain their strength. We know that athletes work hard during the training period up until the competition. The diets they use all depends on their needs to sustain their extensive performance. The body of an athlete should have calories that their body can burn. If an athlete will not eat according to the required calorie intake based on the sports he or she is playing, it can be dangerous because for their health. Deficiency on calories can result poor body strength for the players.

If you are unsure which one is the right diet for you, I would recommend that you consult with a nutritionist of a dietician. They can give you a great advise on which is the right diet plan that suits you.

Everyone is talking about the benefits of sports supplements in recent years. In particular, supplements that help to build muscle and lose body fat are in very high demand. However, not many people know which supplement should be used for what purpose. Taking the wrong supplement can have an adverse effect on your body. Not all supplements are supported by science. You should only take those that have scientific evidence of providing health benefits.

There are so many supplements available in the market that it often creates confusion on which one to choose. Many supplements don’t work, like some health supplement research has shown in the past. Some supplements have specific purposes and diets. Here are five health and sports supplements that will work with any diet.

1. Creatine

It is very efficient for people doing the high-intensity activity. It has worked for 80% of the people who used it. Creatine is naturally found in meat. So, if you eat lots of meat, the need for taking creatine will be decreased. It is very useful for vegetarians or those who don’t eat much meat. Creatine can boost their energy level. ATP, the most elemental form of energy needed for muscular contraction, is replaced by Creatine after high-intensity exercise. It acts as a backup phosphate donor. It acts as a buffer by neutralizing the acidity after an intense workout. There are a few controversies regarding the use of Creatine. It is known to have side effects like muscle cramps, gastrointestinal problems, and kidney diseases. The best form of creatine supplement to use is the creatine monohydrate. This supplement is 99 percent absorbed.

2. Casein-Whey Protein Supplements

Milk protein has 80% casein and 20% whey. This produces positive nitrogen balance in bodybuilders. The casein is slow-acting, whereas whey is fast acting protein. Casein provides amino acids for more than seven hours. Whey provides it in only 90 minutes. When protein is absorbed faster, the amino acids are also oxidized faster by the liver. Casein prevents the excess breakdown of protein. The new form of Casein-Whey protein doesn’t have any lactose. This is better as many people react negatively to lactose. There is a rich content of cysteine, which acts as a liver detoxifier in the body.

3 Omega-3 Fatty Acids

You can find Omega-3 fatty acids naturally in fishes like sardines, mackerel, and herring. You need to eat these fishes at least thrice a week; else you will have a deficiency of Omega-3 fatty acids in the body. Lack of this can cause aberrations in brain neurotransmitter function. So, people suffer from aggression and depression. There are many health benefits of Omega-3. It reduces the chance fo having Alzheimer’s disease among middle-aged people by 75%. It also prevents various types of cancers like prostate cancers and breast cancers.

4 Antioxidants

Antioxidant includes vitamins, minerals, and flavonoids. Antioxidants are found in vegetables and fruits. When you exercise, it produces oxidative reactions that would be toxic to the body. By consuming supplemental antioxidants, you will be able to deal with the different toxic oxidants. Common antioxidants are vitamins E, C, and B-complex like selenium, green tea extract, grapeseed extract, selenium, etc.

5. Post-workout Recovery Drinks

These are similar to protein drinks, but they also contain carbs and other nutrients. These make muscular recovery faster. Whey is the best protein found in these formulas. These drinks can be taken before and after training. When it is taken before the training, it increases the delivery of amino acid to muscles due to increased blood flow due to exercise. It is a misconception that simple carbs make you fat. If carbs are taken within 90 minutes of training, then these carbs replace the glycogen. It doesn’t affect the fat portion of the body.

These supplements are very useful for the body. It makes you healthy and strong. Besides taking these supplements, you have to remember that you must work hard. You should only participate in a well-designed training program that will work towards your goals. You should also adjust your diet so that a proper nutrient balance is achieved. You can use supplements to help you reach your goals. Before taking any supplement make sure to check if it is right for you. For example, creatine is effective if you are doing a high-intensity workout. But if you are doing aerobics or other light exercises, then creatine won’t help. By choosing the right supplement, you can transform your life and become a more healthy and strong person.

If you are an athlete, you must work hard and follow some rules to improve your athletic performance. Here are five steps how to do it.

Set up your mind

The state of your mind is essential for reaching your top performance. Many good athletes depend on sports psychology techniques and skills to learn how to improve their focus.

Drink and eat well

You need the right nutrition to do well in sports. It decreases the risk of injury and helps you to recover faster. By eating well, you can avoid dehydration, exercise fatigue, etc. You can get the most of your efforts by eating well.

Get a fitness assessment

If you do a fitness test, it will help you to set goals and monitor your progress every day. This assessment will determine the status of your health and physical fitness. Trainers first take your fitness assessment, and then design an exercise program for you.

Preventing injury

You need to practice sports safety to avoid injuries. You must properly warm up and use the right equipment to exercise. You should not exercise in extreme hot or cold environment. It might affect your health negatively.

Take care of your feet

In many sports, you need to stand on your feet for a long time. If you don’t take care of your feet, your posture and stance might be affected. You should not experience constant pain in your feet. You should find the best shoes and socks. It will help you to be comfortable.

An athlete should take proper rest. Overtraining can be dangerous. It results in stress, mental fatigue, and low metabolism. By following these tips, you will become a better athlete.

Sports events attract millions of people throughout the world. Formula 1 (or F1) is one of the most famous sports in the modern time. Compared to other games, F1 racing is very expensive. Here are some of the reasons why this game is so expensive.

The cars

F1 needs super-fast cars. The car is expensive from the front to the back. The engine is the most expensive part of the car. Each driver can use up to eight engines in one season. An F1 car costs $3 million. A tournament usually has 23 drivers. So, in one F1 season about a quarter of a billion dollars are spent.

The driver’s paycheck

F1 drivers have a luxurious lifestyle. They drive fast cars not only for living but also to spend their leisure time. For example, Jenson Button receives a $11.6 million paycheck every year. The F1 Grand Prix world champion Sebastian Vettel gets $50 million. They also get bonuses, sponsor deals, and cash prizes. In one season, the F1 drivers make a total of $185 million. They also get up to $10 million worth of bonuses in one season.

Fuel consumption

F1cars use same petrol like the ordinary cars. But it contains only compounds that are found in commercial gasoline. You cannot use any specific power-boosting chemical compounds. One race covers an average distance of 300 km. The practice sessions take about 3,000 liters of petrol; qualifying sessions take 1,500 liters, and the race itself takes 5,000 liters. So, the total fuel consumption in one race is 9,500 liters!

Lighting during night race

If the race takes place at night, then you need to have a huge lighting system. The F1 Singapore night race uses 1,500 lighting projectors that are powered by 12 twin-power generators to give you a similar condition like daylight. 10,000 units of 2,000-watt white metal halide lamps are used to light up the streets. F1 Singapore night race spends $176,000 just on lighting.

Price of ticket

The average number of spectators for an F1 race is 150,000. Ticket price ranges from $50 to $3,000. If you want to get close to the drivers, you need to pay $6,300.

Transport between races

Formula 1 Grand Prix is a 21 races event held in 21 different locations in more than 15 countries. It is expensive to carry all the gears from one venue to the other. Each F1 team has to hire a whole plane to transfer all its goods. So, a team spends around $2 million for transporting every ear.

Each year F1 event spends more than 1 billion dollars. Most tickets get sold out many days before the event. This indicates how popular this sport is.

Ibtihaj Muhammad was asked on the street whether she was an Islamic terrorist. Days later, she met the First Lady and gave her a good fencing lesson. Muhammad is now the first hijab-wearing Olympian of the USA team. She is glad that she is part of the team in this time of political instability in the country. She is happy because she goes a chance to challenge the misconceptions that people have about Muslim women. She believes that the global community is unhealthy now and needs to change.

Muhammad’s view of the current political situation

Eight American police officers were shot dead last month in US and America. In France, 84 people were killed by a lorry on Bastille Day. The Islamic State took responsibility for most of these attacks. As a reaction to these incidents, Muhammad thinks that everyone is misunderstanding the religion. This kind of problems has become so common that you now take the sound of bombs and gunshots to be a regular part of your life. She wants to be the source of inspiration not only to the Muslim youths but also to other kids. She wants to encourage Muslim women to be active. She expects to see a positive change in the Muslim society of this country.

Who is Ibtihaj Muhammad?

She is ranked as no. 2 in the USA and no. 8 in the World for women’s saber fencing. She was born in New Jersey, USA. She is enlisted as one of the 100 most influential people in the world selected by the Time magazine this year. She is the advertising face of the credit card company Visa. She won the Pan American title in June. In 2014, she won the gold medal for the USA at the World Fencing Championships in Russia.

Muhammad’s selection at the Olympic Games this year comes at a time when the prominence of women in politics and sports is at the highest level. Theresa May became the Prime Minister of UK; Angela Merkel is the leader in Germany, and Hillary Clinton is fighting to become the first female president of the USA. The post of FIFA general secretary has also gone to Fatma Samoura, the first women to get the post ever. There are lots of expectation from Muhammad at this year’s Rio Olympic Games.